Mansa, Sept 26 :More than 2000 players and officials from all districts of the state will take part in the Punjab State Rural Games for Boys Under-16 at the Nehru Memorial Government College ground here from September 27 to 30. Addressing a press conference here today, Punjab Sports Director Padam Shree Pargat Singh said that competitions would be held in athletics, archery, football, hockey, kho-kho, kabaddi, volleyball, weightlifting, tur of war and wrestling.
Hockey Olympian Pargat Singh disclosed that players from rural background and have participated at district, inter-block and block level tournaments would be eligible to compete in the state rural games.
Pargat said that for the first time, the Punjab Sports Department has organised block level tournaments in all the 141 blocks of the state and have spent Rs one lakh per block. The department also provided Rs 4 lack to each district to conduct inter-block level tournaments. The Punjab Sports Department has made an effort to involve about to involve 1.5 lakh players from the rural background under this scheme.
Pargat said that the Government of India is going to implement a new scheme called Panchayatg Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan from 2008-2009. The Punjab Government would spent Rs 250 lakh under this rural competitions programme.
Meanwhile various committees formed are working round the clock for the smooth conduct of the games. Pargat Singh said that PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa will inaugurate the games on September 27 at 10.00 a.m. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhunder, General Secretary, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and former M P has consented to be the chief guest at the closing ceremony on September 30.
Mansa Deputy Commissioner Kumar Rahul said that the district administration has made all out efforts to make the tournament a grand success. A grand cultural evening will be organised on September 29 to entertain the participants. SSLP Maninder Singh said that security arrangements for the players at the stay as well as the venues of competitions would be duly looked after. DSO Abdesh Kumar Sharma said that hockey and volleyball matches will be played at Gandhi Senior Secondary School ground and rest events will be held at the Nehru Memorial Government Colleged ground.